Japanese Macaque also known as snow monkeys, these primates live in Japan’s forests, highlands, and mountains. They are the only primates to live so far north besides humans. Snow monkeys vary in size depending on the region they inhabit: animals in the southern parts are smaller compared to the animals living in the colder, northern … Read more
Rhinoceros, often abbreviated to rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to Southern Asia. The African species are the white and black rhinoceroses, and both species have two horns. Asian rhinos include the Indian (or great one-horned … Read more
Cheetahs are big cats, members of the Felidae family and closely related to bobcats, lynxes and pumas. These graceful animals are identified by their unique black spots on gold or yellow coats and are known for their amazing speed. Cheetahs are 1.1 to 1.4 meters (3.5 to 4.5 feet) long from head to rump, and … Read more
Millions of bison once thundered across North America. These massive animals, characterized by their long, shaggy brown coats, have poor eyesight but acute hearing and an excellent sense of smell. Bison, symbolic animals of the Great Plains, are often mistakenly called buffaloes. Bison have a life expectancy of approximately 15 years in the wild and … Read more
Living in the grasslands, scrub, and open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, the lion is the second largest cat in the world (behind tigers). African lions are the most social of all big cats and live together in groups or “prides.” Although extremely large prides, consisting of up to 30 individuals, have been observed, the average … Read more
Leopards are part of the cat family, Felidae. The scientific name for a leopard is Panthera pardus. Leopards grow from 92 to 190 centimeters (3 to 6.2 feet ) long. Their tail adds another 64 to 99 cm (25 to 39 inches) to their length. Males and females vary in weight. Females typically weigh 21 … Read more
Atlantic puffin is a small bird. It weighs 0.5 kilograms (17.5 ounces) and can reach 25 centimetars (10 inches) in length. Males are slightly bigger than females. Nicknamed ‘sea parrots‘ – and sometimes ‘clowns of the sea‘! – Atlantic puffins have black and white feathers and a large parrot-like beak. Puffins are fab flyers, flapping … Read more
The word kangaroo stems from an Aboriginal language (Guugu Yimidhirr). The Aboriginal word gangurru described the Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are marsupial animals that are found in Australia as well as New Guinea. The average lifespan of the kangaroo in the wild is eight to 12 years and up to 20 years in captivity. Kangaroos are … Read more
Tigers are the largest members of the cat family and are renowned for their power and strength. Today, there are five subspecies of tiger: Bengal, South China, Indochinese, Sumatran and Siberian. Sadly, three subspecies of tiger have become extinct – Caspian, Bali and Javan. The average life span for Tiger is up to 26 years … Read more